Windows Phone

Zune software is available to all PC users. If you use a Mac you can get the dedicated Windows Phone Mac Connector from the Mac App store which lets you easily sync all your content to and from your Windows Phone. Learn more about the Windows Phone Mac Connector here. Either Zune or the Mac Connector is required to update your Windows Phone.

Zune is an awesome way to listen to and discover new music, watch the latest films and share content across devices. With Zune Pass you can also stream millions of tracks to your PC, Xbox and Windows Phone. But crucially you need to install the latest version of Zune – or the Mac Connector software – to keep your phone up to date and receive future updates, including the next release of Windows Phone, code-named Mango.

The latest update to Zune was released recently, packing loads of great new features that make it worth updating. The most exciting thing for us about the recent release is fast Windows Phone updates, including progressive updates, streamlined backup and the ability to skip phone backup.

As well as supporting more languages for those of you outside of the UK, there have been other tweaks to Zune such as 48-hour film rentals, parental controls now supporting M-rated (Mature) content and the option to hide purchase confirmation dialogue for faster app checkout.

Finally, for all the die hard iTunes users reading this, fear not. While Zune seamlessly scans your PC for existing tracks and imports all non-DRM music, including tracks from your iTunes library, you can still continue to use iTunes in parallel if your heart desires.

You can download the latest version of Zune here. Keep on reading if you’d like to learn more about Zune.

Zune Marketplace

The Zune Marketplace is an online store that offers music, podcasts, TV shows, films and film trailers, music videos and Windows Phone apps.

Content can be viewed or purchased on Windows PCs with the Zune software installed, Zune devices, the Xbox 360 and, of course, your Windows Phone.

Go take a look at Zune here

Zune software

The Zune software is your media hub for your PC as well as the tool you use to manage content on your Windows Phone. You’ll need Zune to update to the next release of Windows Phone.

The Zune software also streams files to other PCs and your Xbox 360. It has full access to your media library, the Zune Marketplace and to Zune Pass.

Zune seamlessly imports your non-DRM music, however you can still continue to use iTunes at the same time, if you prefer.

Download Zune for your PC here

Zune Pass

Zune Pass is a music subscription service, which allows you to stream an unlimited number of songs for as long as their subscription is active.

The songs can be played on up to 3 Windows PCs and on up to 3 other Zune-compatible devices – including your Xbox 360 and Windows Phone.

Sign up to Zune Pass with a 14-day free trial here

Updates

It is best to keep the latest version of Zune on your computer. This way you get the best experience and can update as quickly as possible to the next release of Windows Phone, when available.

To check you have the latest version of Zune, simply click settings > general > check for updates. If you don’t have the latest version, update now.